Namibia Private Driven/Guided Safari

Namibia is a land of stunning landscapes, endless skies, barren deserts, rugged mountains and spectacular wildlife. Like any trip to Namibia, the dunes of Sossusvlei must not be missed and therefore we begin our journey here. The Exploration also takes in the amazing marine life just off Swakopmund, the secluded and dramatic coastline of the Skeleton Coast littered with historic remnants of shipwrecks. Damaraland’s fascinating eco system which includes some completely unique plants species and desert adapted animals. Culminating at the dramatic and game rich Etosha National park “Land of Dry Water”.

With a variety of activities provide a wide range of differing impressions, from a dolphin cruise to walking near the Namib’s great dunes. And game drives with your own guide helping you to get the most from your safari. The journey is by road which gives you a real feel for the enormous size of this country, numerous stops at local highlights, with refreshments, will be made to ensure optimal comfort. You are sure to meet the native people of Namibia, many of whom work in the camps, while others you will have a chance to meet along the road, such as local fishermen and vendors.

Busanga Safaris arrange interesting and varied itineraries to Namibia and having a complete team on the ground in Namibia allows you to relax in the knowledge that you have complete ground support. This exploration will be led by a very friendly and highly experienced professional guide with a passion for Namibia and with an in depth knowledge of the regions you will be visiting. Your guide will host you for the duration of your safari, providing you with a consistent, detailed and rounded interpretation of the wildlife, geography and culture you will encounter, taking you under the skin of your destinations.

Click on the Below orange link "See Printable Version" for the full itinerary.

Hi Tony,
We had a great time thank you very much.
What a great country, amazing scenery,so much to see and do and lovely friendly people.

Thanks for organising everything for us, it all worked like clockwork.
We would especially like to sing the praises of our guide. So knowledgable, nothing was too much trouble, always pleasant and always smartly turned out, he made our holiday such a memorable one.

I can't wait to return again to Africa and will be sure to contact you again then.
I will heartily recommend you to any of my friends that are thinking of going to Africa.

Many thanks again for a wonderful holiday.

Full Safari Details

Namibia Private Driven/Guided Safari

Namibia is a land of stunning landscapes, endless skies, barren deserts, rugged mountains and spectacular wildlife. Like any trip to Namibia, the dunes of Sossusvlei must not be missed and therefore we begin our journey here. The Exploration also takes in the amazing marine life just off Swakopmund, the secluded and dramatic coastline of the Skeleton Coast littered with historic remnants of shipwrecks. Damaraland’s fascinating eco system which includes some completely unique plants species and desert adapted animals. Culminating at the dramatic and game rich Etosha National park “Land of Dry Water”.

With a variety of activities provide a wide range of differing impressions, from a dolphin cruise to walking near the Namib’s great dunes. And game drives with your own guide helping you to get the most from your safari. The journey is by road which gives you a real feel for the enormous size of this country, numerous stops at local highlights, with refreshments, will be made to ensure optimal comfort. You are sure to meet the native people of Namibia, many of whom work in the camps, while others you will have a chance to meet along the road, such as local fishermen and vendors.

Busanga Safaris arrange interesting and varied itineraries to Namibia and having a complete team on the ground in Namibia allows you to relax in the knowledge that you have complete ground support. This exploration will be led by a very friendly and highly experienced professional guide with a passion for Namibia and with an in depth knowledge of the regions you will be visiting. Your guide will host you for the duration of your safari, providing you with a consistent, detailed and rounded interpretation of the wildlife, geography and culture you will encounter, taking you under the skin of your destinations.

Day 1Villa Vista Guesthouse, Windhoek – 1night bed and breakfast Upon arrival at Windhoek International Airport you will be collected and transferred to Villa Vista where you’ll meet one of our tour consultants who will go through your travel plans with you, depending on the time of your arrival you may choose to wander into the city centre, or relax by the pool. Alternatively you can join an optional township tour, enjoy a horse ride, or even head out for a birding trip. Overnight is in a twin bedded room with en-suite facilities on a bed and breakfast basis, all other meals will be at client’s expense. Note that this guesthouse does not offer dinner facilities

Windhoek Capital City: Located within the Central Region of the country, Windhoek nestles in a basin surrounded by rolling hills, bounded by the Eros Mountains in the northeast, the Auas Mountains to the southeast and the Khomas Hochland in the west and with a population of around 250,000 people this small city has a laid-back ambience. It is often described as having a continental atmosphere, mixing African lifestyle with European history; picturesque German architecture, European influenced restaurants and shopping malls combine with street-vendors make it unique.

Day 2&3Desert Homestead, Namib Naukluft Park – 2nights accommodation

This morning you are collected by your guide and drive through stunning scenery to Desert Homestead located in the desert, later this afternoon take a short walk to appreciate the beauty of the region and sunset over the nearby mountains or join an optional sunset horse ride. It’s a pre-dawn departure from the lodge with your guide the following day to arrive at the Namib Naukluft park gate for sunrise and from here drive to the 2x4 car park and the dunes. Once in the heart of the dune sea, explore this unique area on foot before heading into Dead Vlei with its large expanse of bleached cracked clay and skeletal trees – superb photography opportunities. Continue onto Sossusvlei before returning to the homestead via Dune 45 and Sesriem Canyon, not a large canyon but one of the few places that has permanent water and helped in the survival for the local communities and animals that lived on the lands in days gone by. Overnight in an en-suite chalet (LD/BLD)

Sossusvlei: Sossusvlei is a clay pan set amid monstrous piles of sand known as star dunes that reach the height of a 70storey skyscraper and rank among the tallest dunes on earth. A deathly white against red sands, the pan is the endpoint of a usually dry river, Tsauchab, in the interior of the Great Sand Sea. The river course rises south of the Naukluft Mountains in the Great escarpment. It penetrates the sand sea for some 55km before it finally peters out about the same distance from the Atlantic. Until dunes stopped it in its tracks 60 000 years ago, the Tsauchab reached the sea, as ephemeral rivers still do in the northern half of the Namib. Sand-locked pans to the west were endpoints before Sossusvlei. The dunes in the vicinity of Sossusvlei get to be as high as 220m. They look even higher when their base rests on an elevated surface such as a river terrace. Indeed one of them that lie beside the Tsauchab rises 325m above the valley floor. Once a decade or so rainfall over the escarpment is sufficient to bring the river down in flood and fill the pan. On such occasions the mirror images of dunes and gnarled trees around the pan are reflected in the water. Sossusvlei is the biggest of four pans in the vicinity. In one of them, Dead Vlei, big camel thorn trees, dead for want of water, still stand erect. They grew in that place until about 900 years ago when the sand sea finally blocked

We depart Desert Homestead after breakfast, driving through the snaking roads of the Kuiseb Canyon and out onto the expansive gravel plains before arriving in Walvis Bay and finally driving up the Skeleton Coast into the quaint town of Swakopmund. On day 5, we explore the ice-blue Atlantic coast, from the port town of Swakopmund to its incredible marine mammals. A catamaran cruise from Walvis Bay (weather permitting) provides a wonderful opportunity to explore this beautiful bay and coastline – you’ll find out about the various species and view Pelican Point lighthouse, an area in which three species of dolphins may be encountered including the rare endemic Heaviside’s dolphin, dusky and Atlantic bottlenose dolphins. Aside from spotting diverse pelagic (ocean-going) birdlife, pelicans and flamingo, and Cape fur seals, the massive sunfish, leatherback turtles, southern right and humpback whales can be seen in season. From here we return to Swakopmund and this afternoon is at leisure – sit and enjoy a coffee and cake, or perhaps do a little shopping for gifts to take home. Dinners and lunch on day 5 is at own expense (BL/B)

Swakopmund Town: Swakopmund is a town with an air of enchantment about it, as if the ornate buildings of the old quarter and the lush greenery of the seafront were somehow spirited away from their proper setting, only to be left without rhyme or reason in an African desert. Beyond the last row of houses the desert is devoid of vegetation except for low bushes. On a slight rise above the seashore, the town is exposed to both the Atlantic and the Namib, with gravel plains to the north and east. It stands on the north bank of a river course that is nearly always dry. A narrow belt of sand dunes, outriders of the Great Sand Sea to the south, comes to a halt on the opposite bank. A bare plain beside a rough sea and dry river is hardly a prime position for a holiday resort. In fact the town was never meant to be a resort, but became one against all the odds. It was established as a harbour town. Swakopmund had its beginning as a landing station in 1892 when the Imperial Navy erected beacons on the site. Initially cargo and passengers were rowed ashore in surfboats from steamers anchored offshore. Once a concrete Mole or breakwater had been built it became possible to use tugs and barges instead.

Day 6Twyfelfontein Country Lodge, Damaraland - 1 night accommodation

After breakfast we head north along the Skeleton Coast stopping at a shipwreck viewed close to the shore, and onto Cape Cross, home of thousands of Cape fur seals. During breeding season over 100,000 are crammed onto the beach fighting for space. From here turn we retrace our steps to Henties Bay and inland driving past Brandberg, the highest point in Namibia and a huge massif rising up over the plains to Twyfelfontein area, and tomorrow visit to the rock etchings with a local guide who will explain the history and importance of these etchings as well as visit nearby Burnt Mountain and Organ Pipes. The afternoon is at leisure – perhaps visit nearby Damara Living Museum (own expense) or take walks in the area. Star gazing is also offered by the lodge (additional) to enjoy the wonderful southern hemisphere skies. Overnight in en-suite room (BLD/BLD)

Twyfelfontein Country Lodge: The Twyfelfontein area, is a very vulnerable and delicate ecosystem, and renowned for some of the best examples of Rock Paintings and Engravings in Southern Africa. Interesting rock formations and the remainder of prehistoric volcanic action can be seen in the Organ Pipes and Burnt Mountain, among the most prominent geographic features. The fauna and flora of Damaraland include plants such as welwitschia, moringa and a variety of commiphora species and animals such as the desert elephant, rhinoceros, giraffe, springbok, oryx and ostrich living in total harmony with the community and the communal farming activities of the Uibasen Twyfelfontein Conservancy. The lodge, situated in the heart of the Twyfelfontein Uibasen Conservancy has en suite double rooms, reception, lounge, curio shop, dining room (open), bar and swimming pool. The development was done to minimize the visual impact on the environment and blends into the mountainside with the use of thatch roofs, natural stone and paint colours blending with the surrounding rock formations

Twyfelfontein: Strewn over a hillside at Twyfelfontein in the southern Kaokoveld, boulders and slabs of red sandstone hold some 2 500 prehistoric engravings that depict wildlife, animal spoor and abstract motifs. It is perhaps the largest and finest collection of petro glyphs in Africa. The engravings show animals such as elephant, giraffe, kudu, lion, rhinoceros, springbok, zebra and ostrich that once used to drink from a fountain at the bottom of the hill. In some cases footprints were engraved instead of hooves or paws. The abstract motifs feature mainly circles. Stone tools and other artefacts found at Twyfelfontein suggest that hunter- gatherers occupied the site over a period of perhaps 7 000 years. The exact age of the engravings is unknown, but the patina on individual figures the darker, the older does give and idea of their relative age. Guides take visitors to view the rock art. The engravings lie along two circular routes, one an hour’s climb and the other 40 minutes longer. The engravings are best seen in the softer light of early morning or late afternoon. Twyfelfontein is a national monument situated about 100 km south – west of Khorixas in a valley among flat- topped mountains of red sandstone.

Burnt Mountain: A rounded hill southwest of the Petrified Forest, Known as the Burnt Mountain, seems to catch fire again at sunrise and sunset. Its fantastic range of colours comes from a chemical reaction that took place 132 million years ago when molten lava penetrated shale and limestone deposits. In ordinary sunlight it is a dull black. Blackened rubble lies to one side like cinders from the original fire.

Organ Pipes: The Organ Pipes, a mass of basalt slabs in a ravine gouged out by a river, is another geological curiosity in the area

Day 7&8Grootberg Lodge, Northern Damaraland – 2nights accommodation

Continue our drive to Northern Damaraland and Grootberg a community-based establishment, where plateaus reach high on skyline and strange plant life dominates the surrounds. 2nights are spent on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis and optional activities are at client’s own expense – we strongly recommend joining an excursion such as the rhino tracking, supporting the protection of one of the greatest animals known – the endangered black rhino. You can also track the elusive desert elephant, or visit one of the local Himba communities to get a better understanding of one of the most photographed tribes in Namibia and recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment. Approx 3-4hours (BD/BLD)

Grootberg Lodge is a landmark in Namibia and the tourism industry as it is the first middle-market establishment in the country that is 100% owned by the conservancy. The European Union funded the project through the Ministry of Environment and Tourism's Development Programme with a donation of N$4.5 million to develop the 12-room lodge. The purpose of the Grootberg Lodge is not only to offer a professional service, great surroundings with good food, well-trained guides and exceptionally good local management but, at the same time, to benefit the local community thanks to the revenues generated by the Lodge. While sustainability of the Conservancy is a primary objective which the lodge contribute towards, there are additional benefits such as increasing direct job opportunities in a poorly developed area; supporting marginal people with projects such as building schools, clinics, creating a community kitchen for the elderly and vulnerable groups and award bursaries to promising pupils with the proceeds of the lodge. Another important aim is to reduce the animal/human conflict in this community so that locals will be more tolerant of the lions, cheetahs and elephants and give them a value from a tourism perspective. The success of the lodge is critical to demonstrate the value of the land-use which the conservancy is promoting. The exclusive development area needs to show the value in setting aside "core" areas for tourism and biodiversity conservation. The following day you can enjoy optional activities such as elephant tracking – you can head off in search of these elusive beasts that roam freely in this harsh environment – it’s amazing to learn about the distances they travel. Perhaps you may wish to go in search of the black rhino – these protected animals live in the nearby valley and you can track them by vehicle and on foot. Alternatively, you may wish to join a visit to a local Himba community – these amazing people manage to live a traditional lifestyle in today’s modern world, the women cover themselves in ochre and butterfat, looking after the children and village, whilst the men tend to the cattle and goats.

Day 9-11 Etosha National Park - 3nights accommodation

This morning depart from Twyfelfontein and drive to Etosha National Park. We enter via Anderssons Gate and game drive to Okaukuejo. The next days are spent with your guide enjoying game drives and exploring the park visiting waterholes and searching for the many species of game. Etosha is recognised as one of the best game parks in Southern Africa for the numbers and various species of game as well as the interesting geology. 3nights spent in bush chalets with en-suite facilities – we plan for both Okaukuejo and Halali Rest Camps (BLD/BLD/BLD)

Etosha National Park: With translations such as “Great, White Place”, “Place of Mirages” and “Land of Dry Water”, it’s no wonder Etosha has a certain mystery around it. The Etosha Pan, a vast shallow depression of around 110km from east to west and 60km from south to north is likely to be the remains of a large inland lake that flowed from the Angolan highlands. However, continental uplift changed the slope of the land and direction towards the Atlantic. Slowly, the lake dried - if the lake existed today, it would be the third largest in the world. Etosha is the largest of the pans, 4 760 km in extent, or about half the size of Lebanon. It is nowadays filled with water only when sufficient rain falls to the north in Angola to induce floods to flow southward along the Cuvelai drainage system. Etosha is open throughout the year and is accessible with the tarred roads via the Andersson Gate in the central southern section and the Von Lindequist Gate in the east. Each of Etosha’s three traditional resorts, Okaukuejo in the centre of the park, Namutoni in the east and Halali halfway between the two, has its own distinctive character and atmosphere. Each has a floodlit waterhole where wildlife can be viewed throughout the day and night. The roads are accessible in a 2x4 vehicle though care needs to be exercised after heavy rains. As a game reserve, it excels particularly during the dry season when huge amounts of animals congregate at the waterholes, as a visitor, watching the sun set as hundreds of animals come to quench their thirst, dust kicked up from hooves and bellows of animals across the veldt ring out makes it a wonderful experience. There are over 115 mammals in the park including endangered species such as cheetah and black rhino, as well as elephant, lion, leopard, hyena, giraffe and a whole host of plains game. In conjunction there’s 340 species of bird recorded including uncommon members of hawk and vulture.

Etosha National Park - 3nights accommodation
Day 8 - 9Okaukuejo, standard room
Day 10Halali, standard room .This morning depart from Twyfelfontein and drive to Etosha National Park. We enter via Anderssons Gate and game drive to Okaukuejo. The next days are spent enjoying game drives and exploring the park visiting waterholes and searching for the many species of game. Etosha is recognised as one of the best game parks in Southern Africa for the numbers and various species of game as well as the interesting geology.

Etosha National Park:With translations such as “Great, White Place”, “Place of Mirages” and “Land of Dry Water”, it’s no wonder Etosha has a certain mystery around it. The Etosha Pan, a vast shallow depression of around 110km from east to west and 60km from south to north is likely to be the remains of a large inland lake that flowed from the Angolan highlands. However, continental uplift changed the slope of the land and direction towards the Atlantic.Slowly, the lake dried - if the lake existed today, it would be the third largest in the world. Etosha is the largest of the pans, 4 760 km in extent, or about half the size of Lebanon. It is nowadays filled with water only when sufficient rain falls to the north in Angola to induce floods to flow southward along the Cuvelai drainage system.

After a final game drive head onward to Okonjima, home of the AfriCat Foundation and one of the most famous conservation programmes in Namibia. The AfriCat Foundation is based here and devoted to the conservation of predators, specifically cheetah with the aim to ease the conflict that arises between humans and carnivores. Established in 1993, The AfriCat Foundation started off as a sanctuary for Cheetah and Leopard rescued from irate, livestock farmers. Today, it’s dedicated to the protection and long-term conservation of all large carnivores in Namibia and has since become renowned for much-needed; “Environmental Education, Carnivore Research, Rescue, Release & Rehabilitation programmes, and Carnivore Welfare, Human Wild-life Conflict Mitigation and Community Support projects - throughout the whole of Namibia”. The AfriCat Foundation is based on the farm Okonjima (central Namibia) and the farm Kaross (northwest Namibia). This mutually beneficial relationship allows for interested visitors to experience, first hand, the works of The Project, gaining valuable insight into carnivore conservation and, at the same time, creating the platform for donating much-needed funds to The Project and its Programmes. Whilst here you can enjoy any of the following activities. Overnight in standard room on a dinner, bed and breakfast basis with 1 activity included (BD)

THE AFRICAT FOUNDATION: AfriCat is a non-profit organization set up to conserve and protect threatened cheetah, leopard, and other wild carnivores of Namibia. Visitors will be able to observe some of this programme at work and learn more about these amazing and beautiful animals.

LEOPARD VIEWING: Leopards are frequently seen, giving visitors an opportunity to observe these magnificent predators that are‘radio-tracked’ from our game-viewing vehicles. The leopards roam freely and catch their own prey within the 4 500ha & 16 000ha rehabilitation nature reserves. These cats however, are notoriously people-shy and sightings are not guaranteed.

THE CHEETAH PROJECT: Offers visitors a valuable insight into the ‘welfare work’ of The AfriCat Foundation.

LARGE CARNIVORE TRACKING ON FOOT: Visitors are invited to participate on foot in the radio-tracking of the rehabilitated Cheetahs or the Spotted Hyenas on the Tracking Trail within the 4 500ha & 16 000ha rehabilitation nature reserves.

BUSHMAN TRAIL: Experience a day in the life of a Bushman. It constitutes an easy walking trail and is highly informative. Guests get to learn about the art of making traditional artifacts and how the San adapt and survive in an unforgiving wilderness environment. Participationis welcomed!

NATURE TRAIL: Self-guided walking trails of up to 8 km, for those guests who want to spend some time alone in the solitude of the Okonjima wilderness.

BIRD WATCHING: Identify some of the more than 250+ species in the area, including some of the Namibian endemics – Carp’s Black Tit, Hartlaub’s Francolin and the Damara Rock Runner.

During your stay at Okonjima, note that a “fee” has been included and goes to the following projects - The Environmental Education Fund has been introduced now because Okonjima and AfriCat are committed to their ideal of contributing to long-term conservation through education. The Environmental Education Fund will contribute to the running and maintenance of the 3 main aspects of our “conservation through education” programme as follows:

- Perivoli Okonjima Country School (Kindergarten – Grade 4). This school aims to provide the best possible introductory schooling, with a strong environmental bias, for our resident children. This will facilitate their integration into a bigger main stream school after grade 4 with a sound foundation in environmental awareness.

- The Adult Education programme which currently has two main aspects. Firstly, the continued work with both commercial and communal farms to co-exist with resident predators. Secondly they are working towards using our 20 000ha / 200km² Nature Reserve as a classroom for tertiary students at all levels; especially future farmers, teachers and decision makers. Furthermore the Nature Reserve is used to gather a wide range of data for current and future research, which will ultimately contribute, to the conservation of Namibia’s predators

Day 13 Windhoek/flight

If time permits, perhaps enjoy an optional activity at Okonjima this morning before returning to the capital city where you are dropped off at the airport or accommodation in time for your onward connection – no flights prior to mid-afternoon (B)

Hi Tony,
We had a great time thank you very much.
What a great country, amazing scenery,so much to see and do and lovely friendly people.

Thanks for organising everything for us, it all worked like clockwork.
We would especially like to sing the praises of our guide. So knowledgable, nothing was too much trouble, always pleasant and always smartly turned out, he made our holiday such a memorable one.

I can't wait to return again to Africa and will be sure to contact you again then.
I will heartily recommend you to any of my friends that are thinking of going to Africa.